Apparatus for making a brake-band

Abstract

Apparatus for making a friction band comprising an arcuate band or strap made of a filament-reinforced plastic material. The plastic material is preferably a thermosetting epoxy which provides a matrix in which are embedded or encapsulated a plurality of long-strand continuous filaments of glass or the like. The band is lined with a friction lining, and is reinforced by a fibrous bleeder cloth between the band and the friction lining. A special fixture applies tension to the band assembly to hold the filaments in tension during the curing of the plastic material forming the matrix of the band.

I claim: 
     
       1. A fixture for use in the manufacture of a friction band having a length of resinous plastic material with a plurality of elongated filaments embedded therein and extending lengthwise thereof and with lugs at the ends thereof for receiving an actuating force, said fixture comprising a cylindrical form about which said friction band is adapted to be wrapped, first means engageable with one of said lugs to locate the same in fixed position on said form, and second means engageable with the other lug and operative to apply a tangential force thereon in a direction to tension said band. 
     
     
       2. A fixture as defined in claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a pin having an end adapted to engage said other lug and extending along the line of said tangential force, and spring means urging said pin in said direction to tension said band. 
     
     
       3. A fixture as defined in claim 2, wherein said pin is axially slidably mounted in a support, and said spring means acts between said pin and said support. 
     
     
       4. A fixture as defined in claim 3, including a mounting block, and means mounting said support on said mounting block in adjusted positions axially of said pin. 
     
     
       5. A fixture as defined in claim 4, wherein said mounting block is pivoted to said form to enable swinging said block and said pin to a retracted position in which said pin is removed from said tangential force line, and latching means for preventing the swinging of said block to said retracted position. 
     
     
       6. A fixture as defined in claim 5, including means for retracting said pin against the force of said spring means. 
     
     
       7. A fixture as defined in claim 6, wherein said retracting means comprises a lever pivoted on said pin and having a cam surface engagable with said support, said cam surface co-acting with said support to retract said pin upon rotation of said lever in one direction.